Premier League cult hero cries after picking up injury but then scores title-winning goal

Hugo Rodallega went through heartbreak and ecstasy in a matter of moments to win the Colombian title for Independiente Santa Fe. The forward spent six seasons in the Premier League, most notably at Wigan Athletic for whom he scored 24 goals in all competitions. Rodallega couldn’t contain his emotions after an injury@MarquezCaroR X The forward appeared to be in pain ahead of the crucial final ten minutes@MarquezCaroR X Rodallega then signed for Fulham before leaving England in 2015 for Turkey, and he now plays in his homeland of Colombia. At Santa Fe, the 39-year-old has continued his scoring success with 50 goals in 118 appearances across all competitions. And his latest strike may have been the most dramatic of his career as he overcame his injury worries to become a league champion. Santa Fe were drawing 1-1 with Independiente Medellin late on in the second leg of their Categoria Primera A final clash. Rodallega was in tears after seemingly picking up an injury and could be see crying whilst holding his shirt over his face. An opposition player put his arm around him before his teammate Edward Lopez consoled him during the emotional scenes. However, despite struggling to run properly, Rodallega continued to push forward as Santa Fe set their sights on a winning goal. Lopez went on a dazzling run down the right flank and then squared the ball through the middle of box to find Rodallega. The ex-Wigan and Fulham man made no mistake as his first-time shot fired in for 2-1 and ultimately won the Primera A title for Santa Fe. Rodallega was painfully hopping in celebration before falling to the floor as he delighted teammates joined in with him. Despite the knock, Rodallega became the match-winner for Santa Fe@MarquezCaroR X He could only hop in his celebration rather than run@MarquezCaroR X The Colombian’s Santa Fe teammates swamped him@MarquezCaroR X He was then substituted in the 83rd minute but after the match, he cast doubt on his future at Santa Fe. Rodallega said: “I said I would step aside so the young players could have more opportunities, but my son tells me to keep fighting. “I said if I became champion I would retire, but everyone will tell me not to.” Rodallega has a contract at Santa Fe until December 25 and, despite his post-match words, may not have played his final match. Santa Fe next face Inter Palmira over two legs in the Copa Colombia first stage play-offs. After a spell at Deportes Quindio, Rodallega won another Primera A title at Deportivo Cali before moving to Mexican giants Monterrey. Rodallega is Wigan’s most successful player in the Premier LeagueGetty However, a difficult spell led to a loan move with Atlas ahead of his permanent exit to Club Necaxa in 2007. Two years later, Rodallega signed for Wigan and became their top goalscorer in their 2009/10 league campaign with ten goals. The Colombian left in 2012 as their all-time record Premier League scorer with 24 goals, which still stands today. Rodallega then moved to Fulham before joining three Turkish sides – Akhisarspor, Trabzonspor and Denizlispor. He returned to South America with Esporte Clube Bahia, with a switch to Santa Fe following in 2023.

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Hugo Rodallega went through heartbreak and ecstasy in a matter of moments to win the Colombian title for Independiente Santa Fe.

The forward spent six seasons in the Premier League, most notably at Wigan Athletic for whom he scored 24 goals in all competitions.

Rodallega then signed for Fulham before leaving England in 2015 for Turkey, and he now plays in his homeland of Colombia.

At Santa Fe, the 39-year-old has continued his scoring success with 50 goals in 118 appearances across all competitions.

And his latest strike may have been the most dramatic of his career as he overcame his injury worries to become a league champion.

Santa Fe were drawing 1-1 with Independiente Medellin late on in the second leg of their Categoria Primera A final clash.

Rodallega was in tears after seemingly picking up an injury and could be see crying whilst holding his shirt over his face.

An opposition player put his arm around him before his teammate Edward Lopez consoled him during the emotional scenes.

However, despite struggling to run properly, Rodallega continued to push forward as Santa Fe set their sights on a winning goal.

Lopez went on a dazzling run down the right flank and then squared the ball through the middle of box to find Rodallega.

The ex-Wigan and Fulham man made no mistake as his first-time shot fired in for 2-1 and ultimately won the Primera A title for Santa Fe.

Rodallega was painfully hopping in celebration before falling to the floor as he delighted teammates joined in with him.

He was then substituted in the 83rd minute but after the match, he cast doubt on his future at Santa Fe.

Rodallega said: “I said I would step aside so the young players could have more opportunities, but my son tells me to keep fighting.

“I said if I became champion I would retire, but everyone will tell me not to.”

Rodallega has a contract at Santa Fe until December 25 and, despite his post-match words, may not have played his final match.

Santa Fe next face Inter Palmira over two legs in the Copa Colombia first stage play-offs.

After a spell at Deportes Quindio, Rodallega won another Primera A title at Deportivo Cali before moving to Mexican giants Monterrey.

However, a difficult spell led to a loan move with Atlas ahead of his permanent exit to Club Necaxa in 2007.

Two years later, Rodallega signed for Wigan and became their top goalscorer in their 2009/10 league campaign with ten goals.

The Colombian left in 2012 as their all-time record Premier League scorer with 24 goals, which still stands today.

Rodallega then moved to Fulham before joining three Turkish sides – Akhisarspor, Trabzonspor and Denizlispor.

He returned to South America with Esporte Clube Bahia, with a switch to Santa Fe following in 2023.